Amanda and Brent

How We Met

I met Brent at work three years ago. We were both new to the Sheriff’s Office and he had just graduated from the academy about two months prior. Brent’s class was giving my class tips about what to expect at the academy. For example, how to handle the instructors, passing the weekly exams and physical fitness standards. I’m not sure why, but I remember thinking his last name, Bierman, was such a neat last name. Little did I know, he would be asking me to take it just a few years later!

Brent and I started as just friends at work, but he was ALWAYS making me laugh in one way or another. Whether he was telling a story about his past or describing something that had just happened earlier that day, Brent has a way of telling stories (sometimes a little overdramatic!) that does nothing but make you burst into laughter. Luckily for Brent, the quickest way to my heart is by making me laugh.

After about a year and a half of being friends, Brent asked me out to dinner for our first official date. He took me to The Melting Pot for my birthday, where we talked and bonded over our love for food and dining out. From that night on, we were inseparable.

how they asked

Brent and I were planning a trip to New York City just before Christmas. Brent has always known my love for New York at Christmas time – I mean honestly, what is more amazing?! We had plans and tickets to do nothing but play tourists together, and I couldn’t be more excited. Our first day in town started just as we had planned. We woke up super early and started the day off by being the first ones to climb to the crown at the Statue of Liberty, followed by pastrami sandwiches at Katz’s Delicatessen. Brent and I had plans to ice skate at Rockefeller Center that evening. While we were at our hotel getting ready, it began to snow. We’re both from Florida, so you could only imagine how giddy we became when we realized the snow was supposed to last throughout our ice skating session!

Once we got to The Rink at Rockefeller Center, we had tickets to skip the line and get right onto the ice (I was told the tickets were a gift from my mom, but apparently they were just a small part of Brent’s bigger plan). We skated around and around, enjoying the snow that was still falling and looking in awe at the giant Christmas tree. Brent and I both love Christmas, so there truly was nothing more magical than that moment we were living in. Towards the end of our skating session, the employees at the rink began ushering everyone off the ice. Brent decided we would skate towards another exit, so he told me to keep skating. Before I knew it, we were the only two people left skating on the ice. Brent held my hand and at that same moment, a familiar song began playing over the loud speakers. I immediately recognized it as “H.O.L.Y.” by Florida Georgia Line, which is one of our favorite songs. I looked into Brent’s eyes and felt mine beginning to water. Brent continued to skate with me around the rink, and eventually led me out into the middle of the ice. We stopped skating and that’s when Brent turned towards me and began speaking those words every girl has always wanted to hear…and they are the same words that I will never forget. “I love you so much. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

With tears in my eyes, I said “Yes!” and watched as Brent placed the most beautiful ring I had ever seen on my finger. I could hear what sounded like all of New York clapping and cheering, whistling and sharing in our excitement. It was official – we were engaged!!!